{"id":99947,"date":"2026-10-23T11:30:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T11:30:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship"},"modified":"2026-10-23T11:30:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T11:30:42","slug":"what-is-a-ro-ro-ship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship","title":{"rendered":"Qu'est-ce qu'un navire Ro-Ro ? Tout ce qu'il faut savoir sur les navires \u00ab roll-on\/roll-off \u00bb"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"What Is a Ro-Ro Ship? Roll-On Roll-Off Vessels Explained\",\n            \"description\": \"What is a ro-ro ship? How roll-on roll-off vessels and car carriers work, types of ro-ro, ro-ro vs container shipping for cars, and travelling on one.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/what-is-a-ro-ro-ship-cargoholidays-1024x576.jpg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-23\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-23\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What does ro-ro mean?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Roll-on roll-off: vehicles are driven on and off the ship by ramp.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"How many cars can a ro-ro ship carry?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"The biggest car carriers can carry over 7,000&ndash;9,000 cars.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Is ro-ro cheaper than container shipping?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Usually yes, for shipping a single drivable car.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can I put things in my car on a ro-ro ship?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Usually not. Personal items are generally not allowed in cars shipped by ro-ro.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Can passengers travel on ro-ro ships?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"Yes, on ro-pax ferries, and on some ro-ro cargo ships with passenger cabins.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n<\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Derni\u00e8re mise \u00e0 jour : 23 octobre 2026<\/p><p><strong>A ro-ro ship, short for roll-on roll-off, is a ship that carries wheeled cargo driven on and off by ramp.<\/strong> Cars, trucks, buses, tractors and even trains roll aboard, instead of being lifted by crane. Here&rsquo;s how ro-ro ships work, the main types, and why they matter if you&rsquo;re shipping a car or travelling by sea.<\/p>How ro-ro ships work<ul><li><strong>Ramps:<\/strong> a large stern or side ramp lowers onto the quay.<\/li><li><strong>Decks:<\/strong> vehicles drive up internal ramps to multiple decks, some adjustable in height for trucks and machinery.<\/li><li><strong>Lashing:<\/strong> each vehicle is secured with straps or chains for the voyage.<\/li><li><strong>Vitesse :<\/strong> loading and unloading is fast, because there&rsquo;s no crane work.<\/li><\/ul><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_277741774-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"Fast cargo vessel near a seaport\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Fast cargo vessel near a seaport\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Ro-ro ships have ramps so vehicles can drive on and off.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Types of ro-ro ship<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Type<\/th><th>Ce qu'il contient<\/th><th>Example use<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>PCC \/ PCTC (pure car and truck carrier)<\/td><td>Thousands of cars and trucks<\/td><td>New cars from Japan, Korea and Europe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ro-pax<\/td><td>Vehicles and passengers<\/td><td>Ferries across the Channel, Irish Sea and Baltic<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Con-ro<\/td><td>Vehicles and containers<\/td><td>Routes to West Africa and South America<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ro-ro cargo ship<\/td><td>Trucks, trailers and heavy machinery<\/td><td>Short-sea freight routes<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><p>The biggest car carriers can carry <strong>over 7,000&ndash;9,000 cars<\/strong>. They look like giant floating boxes with no visible decks.<\/p><h2>Ro-ro vs container shipping for cars<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th><\/th><th>Ro-ro<\/th><th>Conteneur<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Co\u00fbt<\/td><td>Usually cheapest<\/td><td>More expensive<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Personal items in the car<\/td><td>Not allowed<\/td><td>Allowed in sole-use containers<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Protection<\/td><td>Inside a covered deck<\/td><td>Sealed in a steel box<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Car must be drivable<\/td><td>Usually<\/td><td>Non<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><p>Read <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/car-shipping-costs-from-uk\/\">car shipping costs from the UK<\/a> et <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/importing-a-car-from-japan-to-uk\/\">importing a car from Japan to the UK<\/a>.<\/p><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cargo-Ship-Travel-Cargoholidays9-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Container ship sailing\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container ship sailing\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">Ro-ro and container shipping are the two main ways to ship a car.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>Can you travel on a ro-ro ship?<\/h2><p>Yes. <strong>Ro-pax ferries<\/strong> are designed for passengers. Some ro-ro and con-ro cargo ships also take a few passengers in cabins, especially on routes to West Africa and South America. Read <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/cargo-ship-to-west-africa\/\">cargo ship to West Africa<\/a> et <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/freighter-travel-from-antwerp\/\">freighter travel from Antwerp<\/a>.<\/p><h2>Ro-ro ships and safety<\/h2><p>Ro-ro ships have large open vehicle decks, so watertight integrity, cargo securing and fire safety are tightly regulated. International rules were strengthened after past accidents, and modern ro-ro ships are built and operated to strict standards.<\/p><p>Explore other ship types: <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/what-is-a-bulk-carrier\/\">what is a bulk carrier<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/freight-ship-types-of-cargo-ships\/\">freight ship types<\/a> et <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/biggest-ships-in-the-world\/\">biggest ships in the world<\/a>.<\/p><h2>Foire aux questions<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>What does ro-ro mean?<\/h3><p>Roll-on roll-off: vehicles are driven on and off the ship by ramp.<\/p><h3>How many cars can a ro-ro ship carry?<\/h3><p>The biggest car carriers can carry over 7,000&ndash;9,000 cars.<\/p><h3>Is ro-ro cheaper than container shipping?<\/h3><p>Usually yes, for shipping a single drivable car.<\/p><h3>Can I put things in my car on a ro-ro ship?<\/h3><p>Usually not. Personal items are generally not allowed in cars shipped by ro-ro.<\/p><h3>Can passengers travel on ro-ro ships?<\/h3><p>Yes, on ro-pax ferries, and on some ro-ro cargo ships with passenger cabins.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>Travel on a ro-ro ship<\/strong><p>Ask us about passenger cabins on ro-ro ships to Africa and South America.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/sinformer-pour-une-croisiere-cargo\/\">Obtenir un devis de voyage \u2192<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Qu'est-ce qu'un navire roulier ? Comment fonctionnent les navires roulier et les transporteurs de voitures, les diff\u00e9rents types de navires roulier, comparaison entre le transport roulier et le transport par conteneur pour les voitures, et comment voyager \u00e0 bord d'un tel navire.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99946,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[356,118],"tags":[1741,1528,1729,1588,1742],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99947"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99947"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99948,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99947\/revisions\/99948"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99947"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}